The lawyers at Johnson//Becker are pursuing litigation against the manufacturers of Enfamil baby formula products.
There are two distinct baby formula lawsuits against the manufacturers of these products:
NEC Lawsuit: Similac and/or Enfamil can be dangerous to premature infants in that it significantly increases the risk that a baby will develop necrotizing enterocolitis.
Cronobacter sakazakii / Salmonella Lawsuit: Similac, Similac Alimentum, and Elecare products made at a facility in Michigan were recalled in February 2022 following infant illnesses and deaths linked to bacterial infections.
To contact us for a Free Case Evaluation, please visit our contact form or dial (800) 279-6386. We would be honored to speak with you and respond promptly to every inquiry we receive.
What is Claimed in Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Lawsuits?
The science shows the dangers of cow’s milk-based formula products in causing necrotizing enterocolitis and death in premature infants, yet the manufacturers of Similac baby formula have done nothing to change their product, packaging, guidelines, instructions, and/or warnings.
The warnings and instructions on their baby formula products are broad and vague. The manufacturer never warns that Similac or Enfamil can significantly increase the risk of NEC and death.
Despite knowing that its product significantly increases the risk of NEC and death, the manufacturers of these baby formulas have deliberately chosen to omit a specific warning of NEC or death and deliberately failed to provide any detailed instructions or guidance on how to avoid NEC or death when feeding Similac or Enfamil to an infant.
Similac Lawsuit
Abbott Laboratories, Inc. manufactures, designs, formulates prepares, tests, provides instructions, markets, labels, packages, places into the stream of commerce in all fifty states, and sells premature infant formula including Similac.
In February 2022, Abbott Nutrition agreed to recall powdered formula products Similac and other brands produced at its facility in Sturgis, Michigan. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), those products had been linked to at least five illnesses in infants: four babies who contracted Cronobacter sakazakii, a bacteria that can cause meningitis, and one who was exposed to Salmonella Newport. To date, this investigation has been associated with illnesses in Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. Two of the infants in those initial reports died.
A subsequent FDA inspection found Cronobacter on surfaces and a lack of quality control in the Abbott facility, leading to a halt in production and its temporary closure.
Additional information can be found in the U.S. Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) notice: Cronobacter & Salmonella Illnesses Linked to Baby Infant Formula
Symptoms and Treatment of Cronobacter sakazakii Infection
Cronobacter bacteria can cause severe, life-threatening infections (sepsis) or meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spine). Symptoms of sepsis and meningitis may include:
- Poor feeding
- Irritability
- Temperature changes
- Jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes)
- Grunting breaths
- Abnormal movements
Cronobacter infection may also cause bowel damage that can spread through the blood to other parts of the body.
According to the CDC:
“Cronobacter infections are treated with antibiotics. Infants suspected of having sepsis or meningitis should be hospitalized and given empiric antibiotics immediately. Once Cronobacter has been diagnosed, antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be performed because multidrug-resistant strains have been reported. This testing can help medical providers choose the best antibiotic.”
Symptoms and Treatment of Salmonella Newport
Salmonella are a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. Most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases, may become fatal.
According to the Mayo Clinic:
“Because salmonella infection can cause dehydration, treatment focuses on replacing lost fluids and electrolytes — minerals that balance the amount of water in the body. If dehydration is severe, emergency room care or hospitalization may be needed so that fluids can be delivered directly into a vein (intravenous).”
Johnson//Becker, PLLC Attorney Appointed Co-Lead in Baby Formula Lawsuit
In a multidistrict litigation/class action lawsuit against Abbott Nutrition, Johnson//Becker attorney Stacy Hauer has been named co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs. The lawsuit is expected to include hundreds of plaintiffs across numerous states.
Similac Products
As listed by the FDA, the following Similac products were included in the recall:
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- Similac 360 Total Care Infant Formula with Iron
- Similac Advance
- Similac Advance Step-1
- Similac Advance Step-2
- Similac Advance Infant Formula with Iron
- Similac Human Milk Fortifier
- Similac Organic
- Similac Organic with A2 Milk Infant Formula with Iron
- Similac Organic with A2 Milk Toddler Drink
- Similac Organic Toddler with A2 Milk Infant Formula with Iron
- Similac Pro-Advance
- Similac Pro-Advance Infant Formula with Iron
- Similac Pro-Sensitive Infant Formula with Iron
- Similac Pro-Total Comfort Infant Formula with Iron
- Similac Sensitive
- Similac Sensitive Infant Formula with Iron
- Similac Sensitive Lactose Sensitivity
- Similac for Supplementation
- Similac For Spit Up Infant Formula with Iron
- Similac Total Comfort
- Similac Total Comfort Infant Formula with Iron
- Similac EleCare HMO
- Similac EleCare
- EleCare Similac Gold
- EleCare Similac
- Similac PM 60/40 – only lot code 27032K80 (can) / 27032K800 (case)
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Questions About a Similac Baby Formula Lawsuit? Contact a Johnson//Becker Lawyer for a Free Case Review.
If your infant has been sickened by Similac baby formula, you should be aware that you may be entitled to holding the manufacturers of the defective baby formula accountable by filing a Similac lawsuit.
We offer a Free Case Evaluation. Please contact us using the form below or by calling us at (800) 279-6386.
We would be honored to speak with you and respond promptly to every inquiry we receive.
Free Case Evaluation
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: (800) 279-6386.